Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian admitted this week his squad is “beat up” heading into their Saturday game at Missouri, and the injury report that dropped Friday night confirms the struggle is real. The Longhorns are dealing with some brutal hits, and the question of who even suits up won’t be settled until kickoff in Columbia.
Key Playmakers Questionable and Their Impact
Two of Texas’ most vital players, wide receiver Cam Coleman and edge rusher Colin Simmons, are officially listed as questionable. This is a massive blow if they can’t go. Simmons, man, he’s a monster. He leads the entire NCAA with 10.5 sacks, even though he’s missed Texas’ last two games with a high-ankle sprain. Imagine that production, still top of the league, and he hasn’t even been on the field. That just shows you what kind of game-wrecker he is. As for Coleman, he and Ryan Wingo have accounted for 11 of Texas’ 15 receiving touchdowns this season. Speaking of Wingo, there’s a small bit of good news: he was upgraded from questionable to probable on Friday, along with defensive backs Kade Phillips and Graceson Littleton. Phillips and Littleton have started 15 of 16 combined games, so having them likely available is huge for the secondary.
The List of Absences Is Growing
Beyond the questionable guys, the “out” list is pretty rough. Running back Hollywood Smothers, offensive tackle Trevor Goosby, tight end Nick Townsend, and edge rusher Richard Wesley are all confirmed to be out for the Missouri game. This is more than just missing a few guys, too. Goosby and Smothers both suffered season-ending injuries in recent weeks, which is just gut-wrenching for those players and the team. These five potential absences represent significant production for the Longhorns on both sides of the ball. Losing this many key contributors, especially on the offensive and defensive lines, can totally change a game plan.
Despite the mounting injuries, Texas is still holding out hope for a collection of key players to be cleared before they face Missouri, including some of their most productive pieces. Kickoff from Memorial Stadium in Columbia is set for 11 a.m. CT. We’ll be watching to see who trots out there for the Longhorns, and if they can overcome being “beat up.”
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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